Drill&Fill

The Test of Wills at Boeing

Respirate, you are on the right track. The issues leading to the current situation, between Boeing and their workforce, do run a bit deeper. I'll come right out with the fact that I'm part of that workforce and have been for the last 21 years. This is my 4th strike.

I can only speak for myself on the issues that bother me, but I do hear my fellow coworkers and their concerns and they are for the most part the same as mine. Its more than just money! Its a future!

The money side of the story is the easiest for the non-Boeing employee to see and get wrapped around the axle about. For those people all I can say to you is, please try and remember WHO is leaking those numbers to the press. I for one would not have considered going on strike at all if there had been $65K in this contract proposal. Sorry paulk8756.

I have a family of 4 so I have a limited # of benefits offered. With all the "bonuses" and wage increases combined, LESS the new "out of pocket", and overall "deductables" for medical, and prescription plan additional costs combine to make the new contract a "wash" for me. Now I understand that all of these costs are going up for everyone everywhere and I do expect to pay my share for these services. Nobody gets a free ride.

What I don't expect from Boeing and their 13 Billion earned in the last few years on the backs of me and my fellow employees is to be expected to take this offer/contract for the next 3 years and be making the same money at the end of that 3 years, when the cost of everything around me is going through the roof. I'll end up going backwards.

Now if you'll care to look at what the upper crust at Boeing makes in saleries and stock option and the rest of the benefits it's easy to see that they have little or no guilt making sure they are greatly compensated for their efforts.

Now as far as sending work over seas or keeping it here in the states. The way it looks to me is as soon as corporate america can get our wages down to "a days work equals a bowl of rice" the fight will be over and the work will come home.

Until then it'll be up to people like myself who would rather go down swinging than bend over and take it. Besides, I'm not a big fan of rice, I prefer a baked potato.